BinocularSky

38 minutes ago, bottletopburly said:

I didn’t know there had been an issue.

https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/10/20688655/raspberry-pi-4-usb-c-port-bug-e-marked-cables-audio-accessory-charging

16 hours ago, stash_old said:

Why put the same question out on multiple threads - one is enough surely 🙂 or start you own thread 🙂

To get multiple options - different people had been posting in the different threads. It worked. 🙂

Follow-up Q: Has the early version USB C-connector issue with the RPi-4 been fixed, or do I need to be selective about any USB cable I buy?

15 hours ago, david_taurus83 said:

When I used one it rarely went above 1 amp? I used one of those in line USB volt/amp meters to measure. I powered it from a 12v cigar plug hub with 2 USB sockets and like you say, both rated to 2.1 amps. Worked fine.

Thanks!

15 hours ago, stash_old said:

12v to 5v 10a converter https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32585217993.html used on all rpi's not a problem 🙂   so far!

14 hours ago, bottletopburly said:

You can use a Y- usb to C connector  lead on rpi 4 if your power bank has dual USB ports so if each port is 2.1A that will supply 4.2A giving you the required power , I got a lead off EBay fairly cheap . 

Thanks, both. Presumably the early version C-connector issue with the RPi-4 has been fixed?

12 hours ago, prusling said:

Hi, I bought one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XSCCLCD/ which I power from a 12v distribution block.  It seems to do the job though I haven't used it much in anger.  This particular brand is no longer available, but there seem to be others that are similar.

Thanks, Pete.

A question for those of you with RPi-4: What are you using for a field power supply? My battery packs with USB won't go above 2.1A, and RPi-4 needs a minimum of 3A. 12V + buck converter, perhaps (and, if so, can someone recommend a reliable one?)

TIA

A question for those of you with RPi-4: What are you using for a field power supply? My battery packs with USB won't go above 2.1A, and RPi-4 needs a minimum of 3A. 12V + buck converter, perhaps (and, if so, can someone recommend a reliable one?)

TIA

A question for those of you with RPi-4: What are you using for a field power supply? My battery packs with USB won't go above 2.1A, and RPi-4 needs a minimum of 3A. 12V + buck converter, perhaps (and, if so, can someone recommend a reliable one?)

TIA

53 minutes ago, RobH2020 said:

I particularly like the upturned broom suggestion at the end 😂 now that's an affordable mount!

Here's the deluxe version: height adjustable, and cranked for astronomer's-beerbelly-clearance :

3 minutes ago, geoflewis said:

.... and yes, my patio does need cleaning 😏

...and you've reminded me that my lawn needs mowing. And it's only the first week of March!

Great report; thanks for sharing. Seems like you've hit a sweet spot with the 22x85.

On 02/03/2020 at 22:38, RobH2020 said:

Got these today, they're beauts! 

Does anyone have tips to stop the stars dancing around when you're holding the binoculars by hand? Just have to support the elbows somehow i guess...

Yes 🙂  - see http://binocularsky.com/binoc_hold.php

On 04/03/2020 at 02:17, geoflewis said:

I have the Orion Monster Parallelogram Mount https://www.telescope.com/Orion-Monster-Parallelogram-Binocular-Mount-amp-Tripod/p/114271.uts

It's rated up to 15lbs, which is a tad less than 7kg. I asked Orion about going above 15lb and they were understandably cautious about making that recommendation. I was considering a pair weighing 7.1 kg (15.6 lb) and this is the exact reply that I got....

[snip]

The disadvantage of the P-Mount is that there is a large moment arm either side of the pivot point, but of course it is that distance from the tripod head that makes them so good for observing from a seated position in a recliner.

There'll be a review of the Monster in one of the Astro mags in the next couple of months. 🙂

I don't know, not having tried it with anything as heavy as that, but I suspect it would be safe with 7kg.

As for the long moment arm, it's supplied with two counterweights and you can experiment with their positions on the CW arm to eliminate any resonance between the two sides and get maximum mutual damping - worked with a lighter bino. (For those that haven't seen the Monster, the weights don't have to be together, so you can maintain balance by moving one closer and one further away).

As an alternative for bigger loads, if you can get hold of a 2nf hand (Larry has retired) Universal Astronomics T-Mount or Millennium mount, they hold a heck of a lot more.

On 04/03/2020 at 10:29, Ships and Stars said:

Thanks Geoff! I'm actually thinking about using my MIG welder this summer to make a P-mount as I have some bigger bins on the way (my aperture fever has now spread to binoculars and I can't pass up a good deal on second-hand astro gear).

If you're looking for ideas for your build, the 10-Micron Leonardo is a really nice rigid P-mount, that incorporates some good ideas worth emulating.

On 03/03/2020 at 12:03, geoflewis said:

Thanks Stephen, as always the newsletter is an excellent read, congrats on reaching 100 ㊗️. I bagged a fair few of the suggested targets with my new Apollo 22x85s on 1 March, but there are many more ideas that you've suggested for me to have another long session or two over the coming weeks. Here's my review from 1 March if you haven't seen it already..

 

It's a few tabs away for today's reading.... 🙂

The latest - 100th! - edition of the Binocular Sky Newsletter is ready. As well as the usual overview of DSOs, variable and double stars, this month we have:

* A comet for binoculars
* Asteroid Vesta
* Appulse of Uranus and Venus

* ... and a quiz to mark our century

The night length is rapidly shrinking at the moment; I hope this helps you to make the most of it.

To pick up your free copy, just head over to http://binocularsky.com and click on the Newsletter tab, where you can subscribe (also free, of course) to have it emailed each month, and get archived copies.

13 hours ago, Ships and Stars said:

May I ask, would you go with Panoptics or Delites?

I don't use either, so I'm not the person to ask; sorry.

You can also find out more about what we bino users use and observers on the SGL bino forums (we don't bite 🙂  )
https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/133-discussions-binoculars/

https://stargazerslounge.com/forum/80-observing-with-binoculars/

+1 for the Heritage 130.

I teach astronomy courses and it is one that I recommend as the nearest thing to an ideal "absolute beginners" scope. I also have one for my granddaughters to use when they visit.

On 21/02/2020 at 13:54, DaveL59 said:

if you do decide to go for them, worth checking if they have the facility for a tripod mount before committing, some have a removable cap on the end of the central hinge that you can screw the mount into

These don't. The removable cap covers a screw that holds the hinge together. A Kaiser clamp and an Opticron hinge clamp both work fine.

On 21/02/2020 at 19:30, Ships and Stars said:

Does anyone think the Helios and Omegons are the exact same quality, same bins? Anyone used these? I know of course they weigh a ton and will need a serious tripod or mount..

They are both Kunming United Optics BA8s, but it is possible for different branders to specify some variations. However, they are unlikely to be massively different.

Quote

Should I just save up for some dedicated 45deg astro bins that take 1.25 EPs?

If I didn't already have my (now venerable) Miyauchi Galaxy Bj100 (bespoke interchangeable eyepieces), I'd probably go for one of the APM ED APOs. A friend has the 100mm, and it's a cracking bit of kit (he uses sets of Televue eyepieces, but you could probably get away with lesser ones unless you're bumping the magnification right up - in which case, use a telescope, not a bino (IMNSVHO, of course 🙂) )

@mark81 In case it's of interest, there will be a review of the Orion-liveried version in one of the astro mags in May. (Sorry, can't say more at this stage.)

I keep a spreadsheet with the data of all the binocs I review or own, plus a few others. Those that are in your price range and go below 54.5 (I measure them, not just copy from vendors' specs)are:
Vortex Raptor 6,5x32 (50)
Opticron Adventurer T WP 10x50 (53)
Opticron Adventurer T WP 8x42 (52.5)

Frankly, at its current price of £79, that 10x50 Adventurer is a steal. My review of it is at http://binocularsky.com/binoc_reviews.php

HTH

What Ian said!

I know someone that has one, and it is quite simply beautiful. But, much as I'd like to, I can't justify it: I can see deeper with my Lunt 16x70/monopod-triggergrip combo which is less than half the price.

No comparison. At all. My review of the PRO version is here.

Don't use a tripod; use a monopod and trigger-grip head (see here) - almost maintains the portability, and still much quicker to set up than just about any scope except a small Dob.